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Stubbs out of starting lineup for finale

Stubbs out of starting lineup for finale

CINCINNATI -- Reds center fielder Drew Stubbs was not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Indians. Chris Heisey took his spot in the field and hit in the No. 6 hole.

"I don't know, I just decided today was a good day to do it," manager Dusty Baker said. "I just figured the best lineup for today, and then we'll worry about tomorrow. Drew has been struggling some for a while."

Stubbs has gone 8-for-49 (.163) in his last 12 games, a stretch during which he has lost a grip on the everyday leadoff spot. He was back in the No. 1 hole against the Indians on Saturday and went 1-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts.

Stubbs' inability to put balls in play has been the most obvious problem for him this season. He is on pace for 204 strikeouts this season, according to FanGraphs.com. Former Reds slugger Adam Dunn holds the team record with 195 strikeouts in 2004.

Baker said Stubbs could be used late in Sunday's game as a defensive replacement: "Heisey is a good center fielder, but very few are as good as Drew is."